East Mediterranean Superyacht Forum - 1 June 2017

As taxation tightens in western Europe, the beautiful cruising grounds of the east Mediterranean are attracting growing interest among the superyacht community.

Consequently, Quaynote Communications and Oceda S.A., the new Greece-based yacht services company, are jointly producing The East Mediterranean Superyacht Forum in Athens on 1 June, to explore how the eastern Med is tapping into its potential as a superyacht hub and destination.

Chaired by Michael Dunkerly from Tethys Equity S.A., the event is expected to attract a range of professionals from yacht brokers, marina operators, yacht managers, lawyers and corporate service providers, to yachting associations, yacht captains and owners`representatives.

“The time is now right, with a lot of interest being shown in the East Med region by the industry at large, increased activity in the region's marina sector, and local companies having a huge amount of knowledge and expertise to share.” said Alison Singhal, co-Director at Quaynote.

A high profile panel will include Aris Geronymakis, Attorney at Geronymakis & Partners Law Office, Carla Bellieni of Studio Piana Illuzzi Queirolo Trabattoni and Captain Andrija Simic, of Adriatic Yachting Alliance, to compare the various challenges of chartering in Greece, Italy, Croatia and across the Med.

“The aim of the conference is to bring what is happening in the East Med to the attention of an international superyacht audience. The programme will look at what the region has to offer owners and charterers and will compare chartering restrictions in Greece with those in other jurisdictions.” said Lorna Titley, Director at Quaynote.

Another primary concern for superyachts is finding suitable berths for larger vessels. Mr Kemal Saatcioglu from Dogus, Andreas Mavrakis, Director at Tethys Private Equity and Paul Cook, General Manager at OneOcean Port Vell, will examine the challenges and opportunities this poses for marina developers and how to meet demand from the growing number of yachts above 60m.

Major brokers attending include Vassilis Fotilas, Commercial Director at Fraser Yachts, who will speak about the current state of superyacht sales and Michel Chryssicopoulos, Partner at IYC who will discuss sales projections.

Later in the day, Captain Mark Souter will provide a captain's view of cruising grounds in the east Med, while Norma Trease of NETrease Business Development & Marketing will facilitate discussion with a superyacht owner to learn about their personal experience of the region.